bryant



(No Model.)

G. B. BRYANT.

CABLE RAILWAY.

No. 366,199. Patented July-12, 1887.

W T E SE5 N, mm Phntoiilhographer Wnhmglcu o C.

UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

GEORGE B. BRYANT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONEHALF TO EDWARD D. DOUGHERTY, OF SAME PLACE.

CABLE RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,199, dated July 12, 1887.

Application filed July 31, 1884.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. BRYANT, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPeuusylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cable Railways; and I do hereby declare the following to be a'full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to to make and use the same.

My invention relates'to an improvement in cable railways, the object being to so construct a conduit or tunnel for the travel of the cable and of such character that all danger of the I 5 angle-irons between which the grip travels being forced together by the weight of the earth upon them and upon their supports will be obviated, and thus prevent undue wear both upon the irons and grippers.

A further object of my invention is to provide simple, eti'ective, and convenient means whereby the irons may easily and readily be adjusted towardor away from each other, and, further, to provide a device of this character which shall be simple and economical in construction and durable and eflicientin use; and with these ends in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a portion of my improved conduit. Fig. 2 is a view thereof in cross-section, taken through one of the brackets.

A represents one of the brackets supporting the rails B, said bracket consisting of a base, a, from the ends of which extend the inclined supports 1), the said base and inclined supports being centrally provided with a flange, c, to increase the strength thereof. This flange c is extended upwardly from the base and formed into vertical supports (2, the upper ends of which are arched, as shown at 5 c. From the upper ends of the supports b extend the horizontal pieces f, which are also centrally provided with a flange, g, and are connected with the upper curved ends of the supports (1, which latter are provided with flanges h on either side thereof, to which is Serial No. 139,257. (No model.)

' bolted the sections of tubing 0.

On the upper horizontal pieces, f, and at the outer ends thereof, are formed the upwardly-extending flangest, between which are located the beams j, to which latter are bolted the rails 13, of any desired construction, the bolts securing the rails to the beams passing through thelatter and also the horizontal pieces f, thereby securely holding the beams in their proper positions. It will now be seen that brackets 6 of this construction are very strong and stiff, and calculated to withstand the pressure of the earth against them, which has a tendency to close together the upper ends of the inner supports, and also the angle-irons secured to 6 the supports, as will be hereinafter explained.

By constructing the bracket as above described the inclined supports 6 resist all inward pressure of the earth, the tendency of the weight in this case on the supports and on the rails being to force apart the upper ends of the supports 1), a great portion of the strain coming on the center, of the base. In order to prevent breakage at this point, I have thickened the metal, as shown at Z, thereby greatly adding to the strength of the bracket at this point. These brackets are preferably made of cast-iron and are formed in one piece, thereby adding to its strength and materially lessening the costand trouble in manufacturing the same.

To the inner ends of "the horizontal pieces f are bolted the slot or angle irons E, flanges h being formed on the ends of the pieces f, against which fit the said slot or angle irons, 8 5 the flanges serving to assist in keeping the irons in position. These irons are so arranged that the ends of the irons on opposite sides meet on different brackets, in order that a smooth track will always be opposite a joint 0 in the opposite iron and prevent the gripper from getting caught between the irons. The lower horizontal portions or base of the slotirons are provided with oblong holes, through which the securing-bolts E pass, and which permit the slot-irons on opposite sides of the slot to be moved toward and away from each other without removing the bolts E.

On the horizontal pieces f are formed the upwardly-extending. lugs 02, provided with holes, through which pass the outer ends of the rods F, provided on their ends with nuts 19, the inner ends of the rods being rigidly secured to the irons. By means of these rods the irons may be pulled apart or forced toward each other, as desired. WVhen the ends of two irons are brought together, the adjacent ends thereof are connected or secured by a yoke or fish-plate and the end of the rod F secured to the yoke, thereby permitting the rod to pull both rails simultaneously. By se curing the ends of the rods on the horizontal pieces f they are easily reached by removing .one or more paving-stones, and thereby avoiding the necessity of tearing up the ground to manipulate the rods.

On the inner sides of the supports d are formed the lugs r, adapted to serve as bearings for the ends of the shaft 8, carrying a pulley, if, over which the cable is adapted to travel.

My invention is exceedingly simple in construction, the bracket being cast complete in one piece, making it strong and durable and efficient, and also economical, the cost of manufacturing it being comparatively small.

I am awarethat it is not new to connect the slot-irons to the brackets by devices by means of which the slot-irons can be adjusted toward and away from each other during the construction of the railway and before the ballast or foundation is placed around the tube. In my device the parts are so constructed and connected as to permit the slot-iron to be adjusted at any time during the construction or after the completion of the railway.

parts, I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the eXact construction shown and described, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes as fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with a bracket and angular slot-irons having oblong openings in their horizontal wings, of bolts passing through said openings, and adjustablebolts connected to the slot-irons and to the bracket for adj usting the slot-irons, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the brackets constructed substantially as described and provided with lugs, and the tubing secured to the. brackets, of the rail-supports and rails, slot or angle irons supported by the brackets, the rods rigidly secured to theslot-irons and passing through the lugs, and nuts secured on the rods on opposite sides of the lugs for adjusting the slot or angle irons, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with brackets having upwardly-projecting lugs, and slot or angle irons seated on said brackets, of the rods secured to the slot or angle irons and passing through the lugs and nuts secured on the rods on opposite sides of the lugs,for adjusting the slot or angle irons, substantially as set forth. In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presen cc of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE E. BRYANT.

Witnesses:

CHAS. MATHEWS, J r., EDWARD D. DoUenEnTY. 

